Timing device



April 13, 1943. M. H. RHODES 2,316,364 TIMING DEVI-CE Filed Nov. 4, 1940FIG. I. Z F162.

i 7 1 TIME ALLOWED 8 I 2 NOTiCE lLLzeAuwnsnmnw g Patented Apr. 13, 1943TIMING DEVICE Marcus H. Rhodes, Hartford, Conn, assignor to M. H.Rhodes, 1110., Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationNovember 4, 1940, Serial No. 364,238

11 Claims.

This invention relates to timing devices, and with regard to certainmore specific features, to coin-controlled timing devices for indicatingthe passage of a purchased length of time, as for parking automobiles orthe like.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending applicationSerial No. 349,119, filed August 1, 1940.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provisionof a coin-controlled timing device of the class described, which isadapted to indicate at all times what portion of the purchased length oftime has passed, and which is likewise capable of indicatingprogressively the amount of time consumed over and above the purchasedtime; and the provision of a device of the class described which issubstantially fool-proof in operation, simple in construction, and whichmay be economically made. Other objects will be in part obvious and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated one of the possibleembodiments of the invention: I

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a right end elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 1, but showing thedevice in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the device in a stilldifferent position;

Fig. 5 is another view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, but showing the devicein another position;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line l- -l in Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

The device of the present invention is par ticularly adapted for use asa so-called parking meter which is usually installed in connection withdesignated parking spaces for'automobiles along the curbs of citystreets. The timing device itself is usually mounted on a post on thecurb in proximity to the designated parking The device is adapted toreceive a coin space.

from a person parking his automobile in the designated space, and hasmeans thereon for in dicating a duration or period of time correspondingto the length of time a person is entitled to park in the designatedspace in return for the value of a coin presented.

One of the principal features of the present invention is that itindicates progressively the gradual expiration of the purchased timeinterval as determined by the value of a coin initially deposited in thedevice. Moreover, the device indicates the passage of an additionalovertime period. Both indications are readily visible at a.

distance, which greatly facilitates the enforce-. ment of parkingordinances, and assures receipt by the governmental agency of the fullparking fees to which it is entitled.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a device in which numeral Iindicates a casing of approximately rectangular shape, which has asemi-circular top portion. The top part of the front of the casing I hasa semi-circular opening 2, preferably holding a glass. Back of this is abackground 3, preferably plain, and preferably of a solid color such aswhite. In front of this background and movable thereover' by suitableclockwork mechanism, is a semi-circular shield 4, which, during theinitiation of operation of the device, is rotated until it issubstantially invisible. Upon this shield 4 are suitable scale indiciafor measuring the allotted parking period. Initiation of the operationof the device, as well as winding of the clockwork mechanism [5, iscarried out by means of a. handle 5 which operates the setting mechanismupon the insertion of a coin into the coin slot 6. Scale 4 is attachedto a. shaft 1, which is rotated by the clockwork mechanism 15. Alsomounted on this shaft, but loosely, is a second semi-circular shield 8,which, during the purchased time, hangs substantially invisible. Shield4 has a projection 9 adapted durdng operation of the device to cooperatewith a projection I0 upon shield scale 8. When the shield 4 has rotatedso that it completely covers the background 3, it engages the shield 8(see Fig. 7), and pushes the shield 8 into view as the operation of thedevice continues. Upon shield 8 are appropriate indicia, denoting thepassage of additional periods of time after the expiration of thepurchased time.

Appropriate indicia, indicated generally at H, are preferably placedupon the outside of the casing I, to explain to the user thesignificance of the scale figures shown on shields 4 and 8.

that in view.

Shields 4 and 8 are likewise preferably painted a color which willcontrast effectively with the background 3. The preferred color is red,and the indicia upon the casing l are phrased with The use of othercolors will of course require appropriate changes in the wording.

Fig. 3 shows the condition of the device after it is operated for halfof an allotted period, which may be sixty minutes. When this is the casescale 4, in cooperation with the edge II of opening 2, tells the userthat thirty minutes of the sixty-minute period remain for his use. Halfof the white background 3 has now been covered by the red scale 4, whichis an additional indication that half of the parking period has elapsed.

Fig. ,4 shows the condition of the device after it has operated over thefull sixty minutes of the allotted period. It will be noted that theedge 12 of opening} now indicates to the user that the time allowed hasexpired. Moreover, the entire background 3 is covered by the shield 4,and the projecting portion 9 of shield 4 is now engaging the projectingportion ll) of shield 8 (see especially Fig. 7).

Assuming that the device continues to operate, without the insertion ofanother coin in the slot 6 and subsequent operation of the winding andsetting mechanisms associated with handle 5, Fig. shows the condition ofthe device after this additional operation has continued over thirtyminutes of overtime. The shield 8 has now been pushed into full view bythe continued actuation of the timing mechanism l5 and shield 4, and thedevice now indicates to the user that thirty minutes of overtime haveelapsed. Shield 8, as indicated above, is preferably made the same coloras shield 4, in this instance red, and therefore the entire visibleportion of the device is still red in color, even though part of theshield 4 is now obsecured.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present device not onlypresents a clear picture of the actual situation to the user and thegeneral public, but in addition, greatly facilitates the enforcement ofparking ordinances. A patrolling officer is easily able to note aviolation of the law at a substantial distance from the device. If thedevice is operating legally some portion of the white background will bevisible. However, if the entire dial shows red, the officer willimmediately realize that the parked car is there illegally. Byapproaching closer the ofiicer is able to determine the extent of theviolation, since the amount of overtime, up to a certain point, iscalculated by the device, and is displayed for the officer's inspection,and is able to appropriately penalize the violation, adjusting hispenalty to the seriousness of the infraction of law.

The shield 8 is preferably made to extend over slightly more than 180.In this way the shield 8 is always overlapped by the shield 4, so thatthe two shields will not jam through accident during the operation ofthe device. The excess portions of shield 8 (over 180") are preferablyleft either uncolored, or are colored to blend with the color of thebackground 8. In this way the excess portion of the shield 8 does notconfuse either the user of the device or the patrolling oflicer. Onlythe portion which is displayed during overtime operation of the de viceneed be the same color as the shield 4, and

accordingly it is only during the actual overtime operation orsubsequent thereto, that the entire semi-circular portion 2 exhibits thecolor denoting illegality. The dotted line 13 shows the approximateposition of the concealed edge 0! the shield 8 during various periods ofthe operation of the device.

The indicia on the shields 4 and 8, and also upon the case I, may ofcourse be changed to provide for varying periods of legal and overtimeparking, and also for varying color combinations of the shields 4 and 8and the background 3. Any suitable timing means may be associated withthe handle 5 to operate the shield 4 by rotating the shaft I. The timingmeans and associated mechanism illustrated and described in my copendingapplication Serial No. 349,119, referred to previously, is preferred forthis purpose.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising a first scalehaving indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time, a second scale havingindicia to indicate overtime, means for actuating only said first scaleover a predetermined period of time to indicate one timing condition,and means for actuating said second scale at the conclusion of saidtiming condition over another predetermined period of time to indicateanother timing condition.

2. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising a plurality ofscales one or which has indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time andanother or which has indicia to indicate overtime, means ror actuatingless than all of said scales over a predetermined period of time toindicate one timing condition, and means for actuating one other of saidscales at the conclusion of said timing condition over anotherredetermined period of time to indicate another timing condition.

3. A timing device of the character disclosed comprising timing means, afirst scale having indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time andactuated by said timing means over a predetermined period of time toindicate one timing condition, a second scale having indicia to indicateovertime and actuated by said first scale only at the conclusion of saidtiming condition over another predetermined period of time to indicateanother timing condition.

4. A timing device comprising timing means, a first scale actuated bysaid timing means over a predetermined period or time, and a secondscale actuated by said first scale only at the conclusion of saidpredetermined period for indicating the passage of an additional periodof time.

5. A timing device comprising timing means, a first scale actuated bysaid timing means, a second scale substantially completely obscured bysaid first scale during a predetermined period of time and actuated bysaid first scale only after said predetermined period of time, overanother predetermined period of time.

6. A timing device 01' the character disclosed comprising timing means,a scale having indicia to indicate paid-for elapsed time, a second scalehaving indicia to indicate overtime, said timing means acting on onescale alone over a predetermined period of time to indicate one timingcondition, and acting on both scales over another predetermined periodof time to indicate another timing condition.

7. A casing containing clockwork mechanism having a substantiallysemi-circular sight opening therein and two scales within said casingviewable at certain times through said sight opening, saidscales beingalso semi-circular and operatively connected with the clockworkmechanism, and means whereby one scale first completely fills the sightopening to change the color appearance and then acts upon the secondscale at the end of a predetermined time and moves it across the sightopening as the first scale moves out of sight at the completion of twopredetermined periods of time, one of said periods representingpurchased time and the other overtime.

8. In a timing device, a case having a sight opening, a pair ofrelatively movable index members movable across said opening forpresentation therethrough, said members respectively having differentindices for indicating through said opening different timing conditions,a clock directly driving one of the index members, means for engagingsaid members for common movement across the sight opening for indicatingone timing condition, said engaging means being arranged to bedisengaged to provide for substantial relative movement of theclock-driven member with respect to the other index member to providefor an indication of another timing condition.

9. In a timing device, a case having a sight opening, first and secondrelatively rotary index members rotary across said opening forpresentation therethrough, said members respectively having differentindic'es iorindicating through said opening different timing conditions,a clock directly rotating the first of the index members, means forengaging said members for common movement across the sight opening forindicating one timing condition, said engaging means being arrangedautomatically to be disengaged to provide for predetermined relativerotation of the first of the members with respect to the second memberto provide for an indication of another timing condition, and saidsecond member being stationary while the first member effects itspresentation.

10. A timing device comprising a case having a sight opening, scalesmovable successively across said opening, a clockwork connected to oneof said scales for moving it, and means coupling said clock-moved scalewith the second after movement ofthe first scale completely to cover theopening so as to draw the second scale into positions traversing theopening.

11. A timing device comprising a case having a sight opening presentingone color, scales of another color movable successively across saidopening, a clockwork connected to one of said scales for moving it, andmeans coupling said clock-moved scale with the other after movement ofthe first scale completely to cover the opening so as to draw the secondscale into positions traversing the opening.

MARCUS H. RHODES.

